When Cooking with Vlada first began airing on community television stations in the United States, the goal was simple—to inspire families and young viewers to explore cooking while discovering cultures from around the world. Over time, the program has grown into something far more meaningful, reaching audiences well beyond American borders.

Today, the series airs internationally, including on Cape Town TV in Cape Town, South Africa. Recently, the station shared a thoughtful review explaining why they chose to add the show to their programming schedule.

As Mike from Cape Town TV wrote:

“Cape Town TV decided to air the series Cooking with Kids because of its great educational and entertainment value. The idea of exploring both cooking and travel is great for educating young people about food preparation as well as the cultures and traditions of other countries around the world.”

For many young viewers, especially those who may not have the opportunity to travel internationally, the program offers a unique way to experience the world.

“This is an entertaining and eye-opening series which is particularly useful for many youngsters in South Africa who have no means of travelling the world themselves.”

Through each episode, viewers are introduced to recipes, ingredients, and traditions that reflect the history and identity of different cultures. The show’s format—combining travel, storytelling, and cooking—helps make global cultures more accessible and relatable.

Mike also highlighted another important aspect of the program:

“Moreover it exposes them to a very wide array of traditional foods and cooking techniques, as well as fostering an interest in food and food preparation which can inform their lives and possibly spark an interest in careers in the hospitality industry.”

For the creators of Cooking with Vlada, feedback like this is deeply meaningful. The program has always aimed to do more than demonstrate recipes. It seeks to build curiosity, celebrate cultural diversity, and encourage young people to see food as a gateway to understanding the world.

What started as a local educational program has grown into a global conversation around culture, cooking, and connection. From public access stations across the United States to audiences in South Africa and beyond.